Episode 114: Return of the Living Dead 2 and 3

The Undead Symphony

In this episode I watch Return of the Living Dead 2 and 3 for the first time.
In, ROTLD2, the comedic horror sequel to the 1985 cult classic starring one of my first crushes Linnea Quigley, we follow Jesse, a headstrong little spitfuck of a kid, bullied by Billy and Johnny, and his sister Lucy, but somehow focused on saving the town with the Cable Guy from the hoard of Trioxin zombies.
It somehow maintains the irreverent tone of its predecessor but it's a campy blend of humor amidst zombie chaos is a distraction, as is Brenda's screaming, and Ed and Joey, who are basically Frank and Freddy from the first movie running through the same screaming rigor mortis schtick as before.
While lacking the freshness of the original, it compensates with slapstick humor and inventive zombie encounters, not least the awful pet store scene and a mass electrocution. I did not find it an enjoyable, or groundbreaking, experience and think 4.5/10 is generous.
Moving on to "Return of the Living Dead 3," released in 1993, this installment takes a darker turn. It explores themes of love and transformation as a teenage romance unfolds amidst the zombie apocalypse that was actually caused by the teens in the first place. Romero, Romero, where for art thou, Romero? Would a zombie by any other name smell as foul?
While departing from the series' comedic roots, "Return of the Living Dead 3" distinguishes itself with a unique blend of gross body horror and romance. It was better than the part 2, but it lacked the very key ingredient of Allan Trautman as Tarman growling "Brains" for me. And I do not do unnecessary body mutilation so it is 5/10 for me.
Together, they form what ChatpGPT describes as "a fascinating evolution within the "Return of the Living Dead" series" whilst I think of it as a downward spiral, or death spiral. And there were two more movies!